I use the Google Maps GPS to navigate, and have contributed by moving a couple of locations that had misleading coordinates (for example, out in a field instead of pointing to the parking log). Purely for my own convenience next time I'm navigating to these place.

> In turn, I'm amazed that people put effort into databases that are owned by companies. Wouldn't it be much more fulfilling to do the same work for an open database, such as open street maps?

There are tons of open source developers who contribute to code bases that require copyright assignment. They probably do it for the same reasons:

* It's personally useful

* It's useful to a lot of people

* It's (comparatively) easy to do

* It's rewarding in some other way

Most companies require a CLA. A CLA is not automatically equivalent to handing over copyright to the contribution.

In some cases, the company is asking for a license to use+distribute the code (which IMHO should be implied by open a PR in the first place).

For example, you can read Square’s CLA here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRVQ35-gq2vdSxD1kd...

GPL skips the issue due to the PR having to be GPL to even be published. AGPL might be an issue though? Would it need to be explicit? Still, GPL.

* They're naive

They probably like that it is useful to a ton of people. Work on an open steet database - how many people will see and appreciate your work?

Many of those are just looking for free advertising really as well - in particular if they are a retail front or real estate for sale or let. Just enter in this information you want to give to customers to get a free advertising? Any sane business says yes please.

Do they do a better job combating this style of fraud?

The dominant platform is getting all the attacks. OSM is a huge success on many levels, but unlike Google maps it hasn't become "the phone book" (and never tried to)

But doesn't this imply that it is not a good investment of time to get your name/business in there?